Victim Blaming of Rape Victims in the Philippines

I. Introduction:

                The topic is about Rape Culture in the Philippines and how it is linked with “Victim Blaming”. This topic tackles what “rape culture” is and how it can affect victims regardless of gender. There is a broad discussion on rape culture and victim blaming and this topic focuses on how victim blaming is directly influenced by the rape culture in the Philippines and how it forces victims to remain silent about their plight. This topic explores reasons why a culture of silence also exists for the majority of the rape victims.

                I chose to discuss this topic out of grief for rape victims who have gone through unspeakable torment and sexual abuse but still remain silent out of fear and judgment. This is also because of curiosity and passion to gain better understanding of what these victims face and have to go through. I think that by gaining better understanding of the rape culture in the country and the prevalent victim-blaming norm in our society would I then be in a position to contribute to changing the mindset of individuals that I will come across with, who may knowingly or unknowingly victim blame.

                This topic will help raise awareness and I believe that awareness is the key in taking the first step in shifting century-old cultural and social beliefs. By being able to impart information on this topic, it will help people understand what rape culture really means, and how their responses and actions towards rape victims can shatter and make these victims re-live the emotional and mental torment they have gone through all over again. In this way, if people begin to understand they will be more empathetic to the victims of this heinous crime. In turn, this will lead to the victims getting the support that they need, encourage them to speak up and penalize perpetrators accordingly.

II. Discussion:

                    There are specific issues in this topic that I would like to bring into light. First is the rape culture in the Philippines and how it directly influences victim blaming. Second is how victim blaming occurs and lastly, how it affects the victims of rape regardless of gender.

                    In one article I’ve read about rape culture which is titled “Rape culture exists, so long as the current state exists” by Justin Umali, it discussed several combinations that contribute to the enablement of a patriarchal society or even religious traditions that predominantly govern women and how they live their lives. Our current society, norms and our deeply-rooted and archaic beliefs that women and other genders within the LGBT community are not equals with men lead to birth of rape culture. Yes, rape according to majority is not condoned and tolerated here in the Philippines and such acts merit punishment if caught but that is not what is meant by rape culture. Rape Culture is encouraging ideas and acts such as sexual harassment, sexual abuse and rape by shifting the blame to the victims by drilling the thinking that these sexual assaults could have been avoided had they done their part to prevent it. We often see, hear, and read about comments and responses to rape victims that instead of them receiving moral support, the very people who were supposed to stand by them and help them are the ones demoralizing them even more through words and actions.

                    This does not only happen to women, but because of our gender stereotypes, even men who were sexually abused, assaulted and raped also suffer the same fate. It is because a man being raped may seem unacceptable in our society. To further prove this point, in one article by Patrizia Ricardi titled “Male Rape: The Silent Victim and the Gender of the Listener”, one common concept or concern raised was feeling that they have lost their manliness and that male rape victims have voiced out that they experience a difficult time in reuniting with their “masculine identity” because of the rape incident. This just goes to show that rape culture indeed exists and is existent because of backward norms, beliefs and culture. Most of the rape victims regardless of gender are afraid to be judged or even condemned for having gone through that taboo experience.

                   So, how does victim blaming occur? Victim blaming happens quite often, this comes in different forms and often times served indirectly to the rape victims. It doesn’t matter whether it is unintentional or a sudden burst of reaction to the situation; the fact of the matter is that such words and actions shift the blame to the victims. One article on victim blaming titled “Victim-blaming: Why survivors of sexual violence won’t come forward” by Sofia Virtudes talked about how this occurs. It explained the idea that victim blaming stems from our belief in a just and fair world and because of this belief, when it is questioned or threatened, people tend to justify why such unfortunate events happen which then leads to knowingly or unknowingly blaming victims – in this case, rape victims.

                   Victim blaming occurs when a rape victim is made to feel guilty and ashamed of themselves. It is when the very victims of the horrific experience are made to think and feel that they are to blame for what happened to them. Often times, it comes in the form of questions and ironically, from their own family, friends and relatives who were supposed to be their support system as they go through tough times.

Some examples of popular questions and comments from those who victim blame are:

·       What was she doing out so late at night?

·       She shouldn’t have passed by that place, we all know that there are a lot of criminals in that area

·       Why did she wear that kind of clothing?

·       Why would you go out with someone whom you’ve never met/barely know?

·       She was asking for it because no decent woman would get drunk with a group of men

·       It doesn’t really matter! He’s a boy! It’s not as if he can get pregnant

                  These are questions that not only have I read in various articles but I have also heard in different versions too. Another quote I’ve personally heard from some of the elderly people in our barangay talking about rape crimes were linked with religious beliefs – “That woman probably does not go to church and pray, that’s why that happened…” The list goes on and on but one thing is common regardless of how the question or comment was posed, these were daggers to the heart of the victims.

                   How does this affect both men and women rape victims now? It forces them to live in a “culture of silence”. If people ever wonder why rape victims do not file complaints nor any lawsuits against the offender, it is the result of victim blaming encourage by the rape culture in our society. Victims are afraid to speak up because they fear judgment and being shamed by the people around them. They become afraid of the outcome and the ordeal they have to go through if they seek justice.

III. Stand:

                  I stand beside the rape victims, regardless of gender, they should never be judged or blamed for what happened to them. Regardless of how society and its people try to justify what happened and why it happened to the victims, it is wrong to victim blame. It is wrong to shame people who have mustered their courage to seek justice for themselves.

                  If I think about how this situation can happen to a friend, a loved one, a sibling – brother or sister – it makes me cringe to imagine that they would choose to keep silent out of fear of rejection and out of fear. A person has the right to seek justice and in the same way that an offender needs to pay for his harmful actions.

IV. Insights:

                   Back when I was younger and as a result of what I see on television and hear from older people around me, I used to think that it was okay to laugh and make fun of gays and lesbians. I used to think that it is a woman’s responsibility to dress appropriately and non-revealing to avoid attracting unwanted attention. I used to think that male rape victims do not speak up because what they experienced is not even half an inch of the trauma that women rape victims’ experience. Looking back to all of it now, I feel humbled by all the incorrect notions on gender and gender issues.

                 I now think that I have a better understanding of gender issues. I have learned to seek understanding before judgment. I have learned that resilience is a valuable trait in the face of adversity. Most importantly, I have learned that respect should be given equally to all individuals regardless of age, race, sex or gender.

References:

Ramos, N.B. (2021, January 5). What’s at the Root of Victim-Blaming and Rape Culture?. https://wonder.ph/popculture/stand-up-against-rape-culture-and-victim-blaming/

Umali, J. (2020, June 25). Rape culture exists, so long as the current state exists. https://www.bulatlat.com/2020/06/25/rape-culture-exists-so-long-as-the-current-state-exists/

Virtudes, S. (2020, July 11). Victim-blaming: Why survivors of sexual violence won’t come forward. https://www.rappler.com/nation/victim-blaming-why-survivors-sexual-violence-not-come-forward

Riccardi, P. (2010). Male Rape: The Silent Victim and the Gender of the Listener. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3067991/